(Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday
Iran´s nuclear programme was moving forward rapidly and would be the
main focus of his upcoming talks with U.S. President Barack Obama in
Washington.

Addressing his cabinet in public remarks, Netanyahu, who meets Obama
on March 5, made no mention of steps Israel might seek or take to try
to halt what it says is an Iranian drive to build nuclear weapons.

Recent statements by Israeli officials that time is running out for
sanctions to curb Tehran´s atomic ambitions have raised U.S. concern
Israel could launch pre-emptive strikes on Iran´s nuclear sites.

"Undoubtedly one topic will be at the centre of our discussions, and
that is, certainly, the continuing strengthening of Iran´s nuclear
programme," Netanyahu said, referring to his meeting with Obama and
talks in Canada several days earlier with Prime Minister Stephen
Harper.

Netanyahu said a report by the U.N. International Atomic Energy
Agency on Friday that showed Iran had sharply increased its uranium
enrichment drive provided "additional, unequivocal proof ... that
Israel´s assessments were correct.

Echoing a statement issued by his office on Saturday, the Israeli
leader said Iran´s nuclear programme was moving forward "rapidly and
unchecked" in "defiant and blatant disregard of decisions taken by
the international community."